Manzanillo Sun eMagazine November 2020 edition

SUN

Manzanillo

coastal Mexico’s lifestyle magazine

Manzanillo Port photo and art by Allan Yanitski

On the Road Technology History and Mythology RV Travel Nature’s Wonders So Much to See Food and Drink Learn Spanish Path to Citizenship

November 2020

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WHAT’S INSIDE? November 2020

In this issue

On the Road series by Ken Waldie To Jupiter and Beyond, a Visit to Comala and the Volcán de Fuego....1

Technology series by Señior Tech Facebook Hacking...5

History and Mythology series by Kirby Vickery Day of the Dead...7

RV Travel series by Dan and Lisa Goy Hotel Serenidad...10

Nature’s Wonders I Planted Roots in Mexico series

by Tommy Clarkson

Texas Palmetto..17 Watermelon Pepperomia...20

So Much to See Day of the Dead in Puebla...19

Recipe - Food and Drink Tortillas de Cempasuchil...22

Spanish Skills Crossword...25

Path to Citizenship (P2C) Day of the Dead Altars...26

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MANZANILLO SUN CONTACT AND ADS November 2020 E-MAGAZINE

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For advertising information in the magazine or web pages contact: ads@manzanillosun.com Regular writers and contributors: - Suzanne A. Marshall - Allan Yanitski - Tommy Clarkson - Dana Parkinson - Terry Sovil - SeĂąior Tech - Kirby Vickery - Yann Kostic - Dan and Lisa Goy - Ruth Hazlewood and Dan Patman - Ken Waldie - John Chalmers

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ON THE ROAD November 2020 To Jupiter and Beyond! story and photos (unless otherwise note) by Ken Waldie

Having lived most of her life in various parts of Mexico, Dana,

I like Comala. The streets are buttered like chunky peanut but-

our fearless editor and my lovely wife, has undertaken to show

ter with cobblestone, high curbed sidewalks, many coffee

me the Mexico she knows. As a result, every year we travel to new areas and often we bring family and friends along for the ride.

shops. It’s a country town with a homey feeling to it.

Enter Jupiter, our tour guide; an unassuming fellow, who loaded us into his tour van. I thought this would be a quiet (yawn) day...but then he started to explain why the buildings are paint-

In January, we stayed close to home base, Manzanillo, with a

ed white and from then the day became fascinating. Every de-

tour to the Archaeological Zone La Campana, in Colima, a pre-

tail of the journey was filled with anecdotes, stories and history.

hispanic townsite, as well as El Chanal and, the highlight: a tour to the Colima volcano (Volcán de Fuego) that sits above Comala, which included a coffee plantation tour, a trip to an avocado farm, and a stop to see the famous, majestic tree, El Guardian.

This entrepreneur has a degree in marketing and also an MBA and a specialty diploma in managing tourism organizations. He lived in the US for some time but came back home. He owns a coffee shop, Casa Volcán, and his wife runs Casa Alvarada, a lovely boutique hotel. In between all this, he offers unique tours including kayak, hiking, mountain trekking, visits to ruins, viewing of the chocolate-making process, a craft beer tour as well as our volcano-coffee tour.

We drove up into the mountains, creeping the van through a river crossing, to an avocado plantation at the base of the volcano for a look while Jupiter explained about the birds and wildlife as we passed by. He has a knack for bringing that which seems subtle alive and interesting.

We started down again, stopping at a coffee shop and processing farm where we began to understand how labor intensive coffee is to produce. Over a cup of very fresh coffee, Jupiter gave us a short lecture on vulcanology. He explained how this volcano worked. We even got to see a laughing falcon (Herpettheres cachinnans), with its white body and black wings and eye bands, at the end of our journey!

Admire Mexico Tours DMC, under the care of Jupiter, is still doing trekking and kayaking tours as well as sightseeing tours, following all safety guidelines in place. Summit tours are on the roster from now till the end of May, 2021 for the brave and adventurous.

PS: Don’t miss a chance to see the beautiful hummingbird on the main page of their web site!

Jupiter Rivera is a general federal tourist and a nature guide as well as a noted ornithologist with a specialty in birdwatching from the federal board of tourism in Mexico.

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you can reach Ken Waldie at ken@manzanillosun.com

… more pics follow

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ON THE ROAD November 2020 ...To Jupiter and Beyond

Wildlife keeping us company at breakfast photo credit: Len Mallette

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ON THE ROAD November 2020 ...To Jupiter and Beyond

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HISTORY ANDON MYTHOLOGY THE ROAD November 2020

OUND MANZANILLO ...To Jupiter and Beyond

Flowers for Day of the Dead Most panteones (cemeteries) in Colima and elsewhere in the country will be closed this year for Day of the Dead. People will be celebrating at home with their altars.

The public is encouraged to buy the flowers from the vendors. They have been working on them for months. These would normally be laid on the graves.

A popular movement on social media suggests to buy them and give them away to someone to show your appreciation and good wishes.

If you know someone with an ofrenda, you could also give candles or flowers for the altar.

Zianya PĂŠrez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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TECHNOLOGY November 2020 Don’t get Hacked on Facebook story by Señior Tech

My wife, Mrs. Señior Tech, just got a notification from a friend on Facebook. When she clicked on the “Like Button” it asked her to authenticate her Facebook account. Never! Never! And, I do mean, NEVER, provide your username and password when asked for authentication when you are already logged in to Facebook. You will give that information to an Expletive Deleted hacker.

The link took her to a site harvesting Facebook accounts and passwords. They would then be able to harvest her contacts and send messages out as if they were her. If you have ever gotten a message from a friend stating they have been hacked, this is probably the way the hacker got their login information.

So, if you don’t want to have to go through the hassle of cleaning up your Facebook profile, do not ever authenticate your Facebook information when you are logged in to Facebook. And you will not have to walk the shame, stating “My Facebook account was hacked”.

Stay safe and stay healthy! (Both your body and your computing devices) If you have questions and would like more information about technology topics in this article, email me at senortech@manzanillosun.com

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY November 2020 The Day of the Dead story by Kirby Vickery

I find it intriguing that two cultures could put together ceremo-

In Aztec mythology, Mictēcacihuātl (Nahuatl pronunciation:

nies to be celebrated at the same time during a year and deal-

[mik.teː.ka.ˈsí.waːt͡ɬ], literally "Lady of the Dead") is Queen of

ing with the same aspects, more or less similar ceremonious

Mictlān, the underworld, ruling over the afterlife with Mict-

methodologies, and reason for a festival, one not having any

lāntēcutli, her husband. Her role is to watch over the bones and

concept of the other’s existence and in two different very dif-

preside over the ancient festivals of the dead. She now presides

ferent time eras. I should explain.

over the contemporary festival of Halloween as well.

Our spreading western celebration of Halloween comes originally from the Druid (Priest class) of the Celtic people. It had its origins in the festival of Samhain (Fall equinox, harvest, etc.) among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. All this started during 5500BCE to 4500 BCE. During the late Bronze Age, the Catholic priests enfolded the ancient pagan rituals into modern

Goddess of Death

comitatus chivalry [As an example, look what happened to Beowulf. -Ed] and the story of Samhain was all but lost, with people running around paying little ones tribute to keep their alter egos from running the stock off or burning the outhouse down.

She is known as the "Lady of the Dead", since it is believed that she was born, then sacrificed as an infant. However, the Codex tells that she grew up a beautiful woman (see below).

Mictēcacihuātl was represented with a flayed body (skeleton) and with jaw agape to swallow the stars during the day. Her Mictēcacihuātl as depicted in the Codex Borgia

name has morphed into Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead.” Please don’t misunderstand me. That’s not her position title, but her actual name. Her title is The Goddess of Death.

According to myth, Mictecacihuatl was once alive countless ages ago and a member of an ancient pre-human race of beings who lived when the world was new. But, her time in the living Much later, on the other side of the Atlantic, the Olmecs

world was short since she was sacrificed to the underworld as

passed on to the Maya, who passed on to the Toltec, a devel-

an infant. After her death, she grew to adulthood as a magical

oping creation story that culminated with the Aztec around

skeleton deity of immense power. She has lived through count-

1195 CE. It was at this time in Europe that the Roman Catholi-

less cycles as a goddess of bones and death and the dead, ris-

cism and Eastern Orthodoxy were making their split and North

ing ultimately to become queen of the underworld. One of her

America was seeing the great Mississippian culture run its

foremost duties as the ruler of the dark realm is to guard the

course.

skeletal remains of extinct earlier races.

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HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY November 2020 ...The Day of the Dead

In the past, Mictecacihuatl failed in her duties and Xolotl, god of sickness and lightning, stole one of the sacred corpses of those who lived long before - which the gods of the sky then fashioned into living modern human beings. Now, Mictecacihuatl must also guard the bones of dead humans, for she believes that our remains could be used by capricious sky gods to build an even more ruthless group of alien new beings.

Tonatiuh (Sun God)

er and one of their favorite things to do was to climb to the high mountains and vistas near where they lived. The clean atmosphere, soft but warm grass with fantastic scenery, would lull them into sleep almost every time they went up. They really Mexican Marigold - Cempasúchil

loved these little day trips into their ‘special’ places where they could also watch all the animals play and feed in these mead-

There is one odd but interesting fact about Mictecacihuatl and

ows. They would leave flower offerings to Tonatiuh, the Sun-

that is that she loved flowers and one in particular. The Mexi-

god, while swearing eternal love for each other.

can Marigold is a very fragrant and bold orange flower with a storehouse of medicinal qualities. It was used more in the ancient times than today: “May combat certain cancer cells. Calendula's (scientific name for Marigold) antioxidant content may provide anti-tumor effects. Test-tube studies suggest that calendula's flavonoid and triterpene antioxidants may fight leukemia, melanoma, colon, and pancreatic cancer cells.” (credit: see below). Another site tells of it reducing inflammation and being used as an antibiotic. Sort of a pre-modern CBD oil and there are ads all over the internet where you can purchase all sorts of stuff made from the plant that will make you live forever while being totally healthy. There is an interesting story of why and how that happened.

There were two young Aztec people, Xótchitl and Huitzilin, who were neighbors as children and grew up together to become lovers and later married to live together in a perfect world primarily because they were together. They did everything togeth-

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As time passed, Huitzilin was called to war as most all young Aztec men were from time to time. Tragically, he was killed and Xotchitl took it pretty hard when she found out. She pined for a few days and then forced herself up and out of the house to take a long walk into the mountains where they had spent so much time. While she was up there, her grief rose within her and she collapsed into the grass in which she enjoyed the company of Hiutzilin.

After a time, Tonatiuh took great pity on her because her sorrow was so intent, even he could feel it. He decided to grant her wish to join with her lover again and sent a special ray of sun that transformed her into a flower as golden as the sun itself and reincarnated her lover as a hummingbird. When Huitzilin the hummingbird approaches Xóchitl the flower with his beak, her twenty petals bloom, filling the air with cempasúchil’s distinctive and powerful scent.

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HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY November 2020 ...The Day of the Dead

From the Amantes de los Colibrís Facebook page

you can reach Kirby at kirby.vickery@manzanillosun.com

sponsored

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RV TRAVEL November 2020

Hotel Serenidad

by Dan and Lisa Goy

Remembering Baja Legend Don Johnson and the Hotel Serenidad

Don Johnson, a true Baja Legend and owner of Hotel Serenidad in Mulegé, passed away on September 15, 2020 at age 94. Don was synonymous with Hotel Serenidad, where he and Nancy welcomed everyone from Hollywood elite to Baja travelers for

Don and Nancy

decades.

Don was born on December 20, 1925 in Springfield, Illinois and

A regular stop for us on tour always includes the Hotel Sereni-

was raised in San José, California. His first visit to Mulegé was

dad, located just south of Mulegé, the gateway to the beautiful

in 1959 when he and a friend spent a week navigating a panga

Bahía Concepción. The hotel has 7 RV spaces that include pow-

from San Felipe all the way to Mulegé. That spirit of adventure

er, water, showers and dump stations at each site, all along the

led Don to leave his job as a custom tailor in San José to move

back of the parking lot. These are not particularly fancy, howev-

to Mulegé, full time, in 1961, to become part owner of the Lo-

er very practical, reasonably priced and, best of all, a 30 second

ma Linda Hotel, with his long-time friend Lou Federico, located

walk from the Hotel Serenidad, a real Baja treasure for sure!

on the north side of the river. Don loved Mulegé and the people that lived there, who universally loved and respected Don,

Two different WiFi signals are available, one in the restaurant

his strong work ethic and gracious personality.

and another in the bar, which can be accessed from the outside patio and poolside. The restaurant opens at 6am for the early

Don fell hook, line and sinker for a local girl, Nancy Ugalde

birds and closes late, as long as patrons want to stay and enjoy

Gorosave, and the two married in 1964. Nancy is the grand-

the ambience.

daughter of Mulegé area rancher Don José Gorosave and together they raised three daughters, Diana, Sara Laura and San-

The Hotel Serenidad has a long and fascinating history. The

dra Lyn. The oldest, Diana, ran the hotel until a few years ago.

Serenidad (Serenity) Hotel was originally developed in 1961 by

It was a love story that would span more than 50 years until

Leroy Center. Don Johnson, who had earlier been part owner of

Nancy’s passing in 2016. Don built a memorial to Nancy on the

the Loma Linda, was the Serenidad’s boat manager during the

hotel grounds. The last time we were there, Don showed us

1960s.

and told us the story of its commemoration.

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RV TRAVEL November 2020 ...Hotel Serenidad

Later, with partners Fernando del Morel and Chester Mason,

We were hosting a booth at an RV show in California in 2017

Johnson bought the resort in 1968. Don, together with his wife

and got talking with a visitor about his days as a young man

Nancy, has owned the Serenidad ever since, his name synony-

flying a DC 3 into the Hotel Serenidad. He spoke fondly of the

mous with the place.

owner (an old guy as he remembered). He was stunned when we told him Don Johnson was still there welcoming guests.

He built a 4,000-foot airstrip that was an integral part of the business succeeding as the transpeninsular highway was still a dirt road at the time. The airstrip next to the Serenidad has always been, and still is, the main source of travelers for the hotel. The landing strip brought Hollywood regulars to the hotel such as Fred Astaire, Charles Lindbergh, James Arness, John Denver, Olivia Newton John, and John Wayne.

Don developed a deep friendship with “The Duke” who was a frequent visitor to Baja and Hotel Serenidad. Don was likewise a guest many times at Wayne’s home in Newport Beach.

The hotel became a lush oasis and an exotic escape for people flying in for a weekend of true relaxation and fun. By the early 1970s, the hotel offered modern accommodations, a patio dining, a bar and a new swimming pool.

The Serenidad became like its name, serene, with large, beautifully furnished rooms across tropical grounds. A large outdoor patio was built and is still used for dining alfresco.

Dan and Don

Saturday Night Pig Roast Don started a tradition that has been going strong for almost 45 years. We have attended many. Every Saturday night is a pig roast and Baja pilots still fly in just for the feast, which includes one margarita, all the roast pig you can eat and sometimes live music or other entertainment. The tradition began as an occasional weekend celebration.

Ray Cannon, author of the bestseller, Sea of Cortez, wrote about the Serenidad and the beginning of the pig tradition in 1970: “Most of our group stayed at the Hotel Serenidad, where another old friend, Don Johnson, is co-operator and where he sees to supplying gas and supplies to the boats at his pier. Don had a whole pig barbecued for us on an old style spit beside Don Johnson, John Wayne and others in Mulegé

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the outdoor dining veranda. The evening was a gay one…”

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RV TRAVEL November 2020 ...Hotel Serenidad

Hotel Serenidad pool

Occupation of the Hotel Serenidad On July 14, 1996, three decades of serenity at the Hotel Serenidad came to an abrupt end. It was a Sunday and the hotel was Lisa and Don

packed with such regulars including a Superior Court Judge from San Diego, when 94 Mexican locals invaded and occupied

For the last couple of years, he had been working on a new RV

the hotel. This was a dispute over land ownership and the eji-

Park on the adjacent Shangila property. He knows that many of

datarios, or Mexicans who own land communally, evicted the owners and guests and seized the rooms, dining room, pool bar and airstrip. Locals in cowboy hats replaced well-heeled

the larger RV caravans bypass Mulegé because they have nowhere decent to stay that accommodate 20 to 30 rigs.

Although Don has not run the hotel in years, he always served

tourists beside a pool which was soon filled only with two inch-

as the unofficial ambassador at the Hotel Serenidad, constantly

es of green pond scum.

visiting and chatting with his guests. It is a comfortable role for him, as in 1980 he became the American consul in Mulegé, a

Ultimately Don Johnson and Nancy Ugalde de Johnson, a fifth-

job he performed for 13 official years and 20 unofficial ones.

generation Mulegé native, spent six months in court to prove

Don loved to tell stories and engage the guests.

that Nancy, Mexican born and bred, was the legal owner. Eventually, a federal judge in Mexico City ruled that they had legal

He always had time to answer questions about the area, the

title to the land.

history or listen to whatever it is you want to talk about. You could always count on Don to be one of the most interesting

The hotel did reopen; however things were never quite the

and gracious hosts Mulegé has to offer.

same, with underlying tension amongst some members of the community in Mulegé years later.

Next time you are on Baja, make sure to drop in to the Hotel Serenidad and experience the unique character, tranquil ambi-

Baja Legend Don Johnson

ence of this establishment that was decades in the making, and

Don put his heart and soul into the Hotel Serenidad and was

is a real Baja treasure.

always a true Mulegé champion and promoter. He never stopped working on ways to improve the hotel, which is re-

Don will be missed but always remembered! He is survived

markable given the multiple hurricanes and floods they have

by his three daughters, Diana, Sandra, and Sara Laura along

suffered just in the last 15 years. In 2015, we showed up with

with many grandchildren whom he loved dearly. We under-

our Baja Amigos caravan and Don was in the parking lot direct-

stand the family intends to upgrade Hotel Serenidad and con-

ing a dump truck with a load of new gravel for the parking lot.

tinue its operations.

When Don saw us, he grabbed a shovel to spread the piles around so to not catch on the bottom of the RVs. Not bad for

We already have our reservations made for the upcoming

a guy closer to 90 then 80 years old at the time.

Snowbird season. … more pics follow

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RV TRAVEL November 2020 ...Hotel Serenidad

Hotel Serenidad office and restaurant entrance

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Hotel Serenidad patio and Nancy’s gift shop

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RV TRAVEL November 2020 ...Hotel Serenidad

Hotel Serenidad runway entrance

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RV TRAVEL November 2020 ...Hotel Serenidad

Hotel Serenidad RV Parking

Submitted by Dan and Lisa Goy Baja Amigos RV Caravan Tours www.BajaAmigos.net

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NATURE’S WONDERS November 2020

by Tommy Clarkson

Texas Palmetto Sabal Mexicana Family Arecaceae Also known as Rio Grande Palmetto, Texas Sabal Palm, Texas Palm, Mexican Palmetto or Palmetto Cabbage (We’ve been able to grow almost any palm in Ola Brisa Gardens. But not this one! I’ve striven, repeatedly, to acquire one from “the wild”, from either of the small, selected enclaves in which I’ve found them. However, they have defied my every effort at transplanting – due to their long tap root. Besides that - and how embarrassing for me - I’ve not yet been able to grow one from seed. But, in “The Civilized Jungle” hope [and a lot of plants] springs eternal!)

As a genus, Sabals are all New World palmate palms that many folks call palmettos. Their leaves have unarmed petioles (no spikes, hooks or needles), terminating in a rounded, rather palmate fan having no few leaflets. A few of my botanical refer-

I don’t ever recall seeing one much over twenty feet tall.

ence books state that the Texas Palmetto can grow up to fifty

around twenty to twenty-five feet (6.10-7.62 meters). Hence, I

feet (15.24 meters). H’mmmmmm.

am confident that they’re not Dwarf Palmettos (Sabal minor) which come quite close to the same description - as these

Those in the two enclaves in which I have found them appear

grow to but five to ten feet (1.52-3.04 meters).

to have mature specimens that are nowhere near that height.

One of these locales is perhaps thirty miles south of Puerto

Furthermore, some secondary sources state that they like fertile

Vallarta, in the State of Jalisco, and the other, maybe fifty miles

soil near swamps or the coastline. Double h’mmmmm! Neither

east of Manzanillo in the State of Colima.

of the areas in which I have found them are such - both areas are at a bit higher elevation and in dry, not particularly rich,

Having observed - and coveted - this species for over twelve

soil, appearing to thrive in the full sun.

years now, they appear to be slow growing and to not exceed

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NATURE’S WONDERS November 2020 ...Texas Palmetto

Yet - other than this and their height - they meet virtually every

The stem and leaves of S. mexicana are frequently several times

other description, parameter and specification of the Sabal

larger than those of S. minor. Another key indicator of Texas

Mexicana!

Palmetto is its visible, emerged trunk...But the slow growing S.

mexicana does not develop a trunk for many years - even with Bob Harms of the University of Texas wrote a rather germane

leaves as tall as twelve feet (3.66 meters)...the presence or ab-

and applicable piece, which might help clarify this quandary,

sence of a trunk is somewhat misleading. Even Dwarf Palmettos

entitled “Distinguishing Texas Palmettos from Dwarf Palmettos”.

In it he stated, “A number of distinctive features...(differentiate) Texas Palmetto (Sabal mexicana) and Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal mi-

nor)...The inflorescence of the (latter) rises above the leaves, later arcing down under the weight of fruits...that of S. mexicana always remains within the leaves.

have a trunk - but it remains below ground - one of the main reasons that it is virtually impossible to move larger plants from a natural site...The leaf of the Texas Palmetto has a central rib (costa) that runs almost the length of the leaf; the S. minor leaf has only a very short rib...which is an extension of the leaf stalk (petiole)...The segments of S. mexicana radiate along the full length of the central rib (strongly costapalmate) whereas the segments of S. minor are almost entirely at the leaf base (weakly costapalmate) and the rib itself is much shorter relative to the leaf segments.”

This confusion regarding these specimens gives pause to seriously consider whether these might be yet another dwarf species, not yet generally recognized, in tropical botanical publications. Accordingly, I hereby grant myself the “As further data come to light, I reserve the right to change my mind” privilege!

With an excellent fiber obtainable from the leaf stalks, the leaves are used for making baskets, chair seats and thatch.

They are also used to make brushes - particularly those which have to remain stiff in caustics or hot water.

Get your copy of The Civilized Jungle: Tropical Plants Facts and Fun From Ola Brisa Gardens Volume I, and now Volume II is here!!

For back issues of "Roots", gardening tips, tropical plant book reviews and videos of numerous, highly unique eco/adventure/nature tours, as well as memorable "Ultimate Experiences" such as Tropical Garden Brunches Visit us at... www.olabrisagardens.com

And in the background, my blue and faithful, plant hunting companion, “Shane” - remind me to tell you how he got his name!

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you can reach Tommy Clarkson at tommy@manzanillosun.com

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SO MUCH TO SEE November 2020 Day of the Dead in Puebla places the editors have been and recommend you visit article and image by Rebecca Smith Hurd

Few traditions in Mexico rival Day of the Dead in their mixing

Atlixco

of ancient and modern beliefs. The national holiday, which is

The city of Atlixco assembles a massive floral carpet for Day of

celebrated in Puebla, and all over Mexico, in late October and

the Dead, which is on public display in its zócalo. It features a

early November, honors lost loved ones by paying tribute to -

Catarina modeled after the post cards of cartoonist José Gua-

and praying for - their spirits. Day of the Dead’s origins can

dalupe Posadas - comprising some 150,000 marigolds, chry-

be traced to pre-Hispanic times, when the Aztecs held a

santhemums, and amaranth and coleus plants. Meanwhile, a

month-long ritual for the goddess of death, Mictecacihuatl.

giant altar erected by city employees is usually on display in-

These days, many families set up altars in their homes or busi-

side El Palacio Municipal. Atlixco also hosts a desfile de calav-

nesses to remember people who’ve passed away, often during

eras, or skull parade.

the preceding year. The notion is that, by doing so, they welcome, nourish, guide, and otherwise assist the souls in their journey after death.

“This holiday is a perfect example of the complex heritage of the Mexican people,” observes Judy King of MexicoConnect.

“The beliefs today are based on the complicated blended cultures of ancestors, the Aztec and Maya and Spanish invaders, layered with Catholicism.” In Puebla, there’s been at least one ofrenda dedicated to Pope John Paul II in recent years.

Huaquechula The trek to and around Huaquechula, during the Feria de

Day of the Dead altars range from modest displays of the de-

Todos los Santos, is well worth it. Its unique altars, which can

ceased’s favorite foods and objects to costly and elaborate

cost tens of thousands of pesos to assemble, are towering

monuments of affection. In some places, such as the town of

structures up to 10 feet tall. These ofrendas are often made of

Huaquechula, families welcome visitors in to their homes to

cardboard and covered with white or pastel-colored satin, and

appreciate their altars and to share a cup of hot chocolate or

the shiny fabric gives the multilevel tributes a distinctive look.

atole and a slice of sweet bread or a homemade tamal.

As noted above, the townspeople open their doors to the public, including curious tourists who’d like to pay their re-

Note: It is customary to leave a few coins in the offering or add a votive candle to the altar if you do.

spects.

Find the original article and many more about Puebla and Mexico at this link

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NATURE’S WONDERS November 2020

by Tommy Clarkson

Watermelon Pepperomia Peperomia argyreia Family Piperaceae Also known as Baby Rubber Plant, Blunt-Leaved Peperomia or Pepperface In Volume I of “The Civilized Jungle”, I wrote about the herbaceous perennial, Pepperface (Peperomia obtusifolia), which is the pure and basic, green-leafed species of the Peperomia genus. (By the by, the genus name comes from the Greek words

peperi meaning pepper and homoios meaning resembling.)

Experience has since shown, however, that many visitors to Ola Watermelon in appearance? You bet!

Brisa Gardens are more intrigued by, and ask questions about, this form!

In the May 2, 2011 issue of the online “Plowing through Life,” I noted this general, but germane and relative information. This

Robert Lee Riffle says that the Variegated Pepperomia Pepero-

plant “has more than 1,000 cousins in its Peperomia clan; the

mia obtusifolia ‘Variegata’ is “the most beautiful of these culti-

majority of the species are native to the tropical areas of Cen-

vars (with) markings of ivory and probably the second most, if

tral and South America, but a few grow naturally in Florida.

not the most, widely grown in the genus.” However, I wonder if

(They failed to mention those here in our adopted country, but

he’s seen this species as it is, quite simply, an absolute lovely!

they’re forgiven!)

If a person has read the earlier-cited article then, perhaps, they

Visually, Peperomias vary greatly in appearance; there are trail-

will remember that the Peperomia obtusifolia “is indigenous to

ing, bushy and upright types with foliage that also varies great-

Mexico, the northern jungles of South America and the Carib-

ly in colouring, variegation, texture and size (from one inch to

bean area”. Beyond this is the fact that it is a member of the

six inches long). Leaves can be quilted or smooth, variegated or

same family as black pepper (Piper nigrum). Use-wise for gar-

plain and succulent or thin – even hairy.” While ‘Variegata’ has

deners, they are generally employed as potted specimens or -

rather thick leaves of cream or yellow, striped with green, P. ar-

in the case of certain varieties - as ground cover. Indoors, they

gyreia - what William Warren says in his book Tropical Plants

may be enjoyed in terrariums, dish/bottle gardens, mixed plant-

for Home and Garden - “has heart-shaped leaves that are

ers or by a warm, sunny window. In the right conditions, they

striped like a watermelon, (whereas) P. caperata has quilted

become a bit bushy and grow between six inches and a foot

dark, red leaves on red stems.” P. obtusifolia ‘Minima’ is a

(15.24 – 30.48 cm).

dwarf form.

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NATURE’S WONDERS November 2020 ...Watermelon Pepperomia

They can grow up to nearly a foot tall in delightful clumps.

Their stems are a delight in reddish color.

In that they all have small and rather shallow root systems, they

location that receives some direct sunlight. You can grow your

are subject to root rot if too heavily watered, but they still seek

plant in a location that offers bright, indirect light and it will do

a bit of moistness . . . in well-draining soil. So give them a

fine, but the preference is a spot where a little early morning

drink, sparingly, allowing the soil to dry as deep as five inches

eastern or some late afternoon western sunshine is available.

(12.7 cm) between waterings.

Although it will tolerate it, do not place your Watermelon

Pepperomia where it’s too shady; the variegation of the plant As to fertilization, do so occasionally with a balanced house-

will be lost. You may have to protect the plant from the direct

plant food and following their getting a drink of water.

rays of the sun during the warmer summer months; watch your plant for signs of discontentment.”

All are susceptible to grey mold – some call it botrytis. If the air around which your plant is growing is too stagnant, it can ap-

Finally, if your dog or cat is a vegan (first they should see an

pear at the base of the stems. Beyond that, brown-tipped

animal shrink, then go into group therapy with carnivorous

leaves may be caused by sudden drops in temperature. Hence,

cows, water allergic fish and birds with a fear of heights) this

strive to keep these plants in well-ventilated areas. If you note

may not be a plant you wish to have, as the leaves have a de-

such a problem, remove the affected leaves immediately. And,

gree of toxicity.

it should go without saying, always keep your plants away from droughts and, if indoors, cold window-sills.

I’d like to quote, once more, from the “Plowing” piece men-

For back issues of "Roots", gardening tips, tropical plant book reviews and videos of numerous, highly unique eco/adventure/nature tours, as well as memorable "Ultimate Experiences" such as Tropical Garden Brunches

tioned earlier as it’s good counsel. This plant grows “well in a

Visit us at... www.olabrisagardens.com

variety of light levels, including shade, but does best in a bright

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you can reach Tommy Clarkson at tommy@manzanillosun.com

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FOOD AND DRINK November 2020 Tortillas de Cempasuchitl | Marigold Tortillas Ingredients

Ingredients

Marigolds, Cempasuchitl (cempoal-xochitl), meaning the flower



2 cups corn flour

of twenty petals in Náhuatl, are traditionally known as flor de



1 ¼ cups water

muerto or the flower of the dead. From deep reds to bright



¼ teaspoon salt



1 ½ cups fresh edible marigold petals

yellows, the marigold’s blooms can reach up to 2-inches in diameter and a stem up to 3-feet tall. During the pre-Hispanic era, the Aztecs selected this robust flower to cover the altars and take part of burial offerings dedicated to their dead.

Makes 16, 6-inch tortillas Instructions 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine corn flour, water and salt.

Now, this beautiful flower is one of the major protagonists dur-

Mix with hands until smooth. If dough sticks to hands, add

ing the celebration on November 1 and 2, All Souls Day and

water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency.

Day of the Dead. Endless garlands are hung on altars as part of the holiday’s offerings to the deceased, denoting strength of sunlight.

Not only is this flower pleasant to look at, but a flavor enhancer to poultry, teas, candies and tortillas. Celebrate Día de Los

Muertos with your tortillero filled with these marigold tortillas.

They are the perfect accompaniment to the festivity’s mole,

cochinita pibil or a simple queso fundido appetizer.

2. Heat a comal or skillet over low-medium heat.

3. Divide dough into 16 separate equal portions and roll each portion into a ball.

4. Using a tortilla press, flatten each masa ball between two plastic sheets. Open the press and evenly distribute marigold petals on the pressed tortilla. Press the tortilla again gently enough to embed flower petals into the masa.

5. Place tortilla on hot comal and cook for approximately 1 minute on each side.

6. Keep tortillas warm in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a tea towel.

¡Buen provecho!

Source Spanglish Baby, posted by Ericka

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SPANISH SKILLS November 2020 Crossword solution posted in next month’s edition

Across 1 branch, of a tree 3 son 7 same 8 use, act of using 9 door handle 13 net, mesh of string, cord or rope 14 (I) finish 16 other; another 17 broken, fragmented

Last month’s crossword solution:

Down 1 oar; paddle 2 more 4 equal, the same in all respects 5 odour 6 to cook 10 to burn 11 cold 12 crazy; mad, insane 15 garlic lexisrex.com

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PATH TO CITIZENSHIP (P2C) November 2020 Day of the Dead Altars from the Path to Citizenship series article and images from Mexican Folk Art Guide

Day of the Dead altars, known as altares de muertos or ofren-

Flowers

das, are set during the Day of the Dead celebrations on No-

The altar is decorated with fresh flowers as it is believed that

vember 1 and 2 to honor the dead children and adults.

their scent will make the returning souls feel welcomed and happy. The flowers used to decorate the altars are known as

Day of the Dead celebrations are based on the belief that the

Day of the Dead Flowers, and their use depends on local cus-

souls of the ones gone can come back to this world on these

toms, local availability and financial capacity.

days. The altars are the most prominent feature in the celebration because they show the souls the way to their home. Altars make the souls (animas) feel welcomed and show them they have not been forgotten.

The Day of the Dead altars for the children are set on the eve of October 31 with hoary stock (Matthiola incana) and baby's breath (Gypsophila) flowers; their white color symbolizing the purity of the children's souls. Children's souls are treated with sweet tamales, hot chocolate, atole (corn based hot drink), fruits, candies and toys. Every element in the altar must be suitable for children.

The cempasuchil or flor de muertos (flower of the dead, marigolds) is one of the most used flowers during the celebration.

On the eve of November first, the children-oriented elements

In some places, its petals are set to make a path from the

on the altar are eaten or removed; in time to honor the adults.

house door to the altar, thus showing the way to the returning

Cempasuchil and other Day of the Dead flowers are added to

souls.

the altar together with spicy tamales, alcoholic drinks and ciga-

Different Levels

rettes or whatever the deceased enjoyed in life.

In some areas altars are made with two levels that symbolize heaven and earth. In others, they are made with three levels for

Day of the Dead Altar Elements

heaven, purgatory and earth and there are places where altars with seven levels are placed. Each of these levels represents the

Day of the Dead altars are set with different elements depending on the region; these differences are established by the availability of seasonal flowers and fruits and the traditional food from the area. Other elements are shared everywhere in the country. Most altars would include some or all of the following elements.

Picture A picture of the evoked relative is placed in the altar to make him present and revive his image.

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steps a soul has to make to get to heaven.

An Arch Symbolizes the entrance to the world of the dead. In the places where it's set out, it can be made with cempasuchil flowers like in MichoacĂĄn State, or of reed like in Puebla State.

Chiseled Paper The papel picado or chiseled paper are paper flags chiseled with saints' figures or skulls and skeletons that are placed like a table cloth in the altar. To some people, they represent the element of air for the way they move.

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PATH TO CITIZENSHIP (P2C) November 2020 ...Day of the Dead Altars

Candles Candles show the souls their way to the altar and back to the dead world. They symbolize light, hope and faith. The number of candles in the altar depends on the local tradition, in some regions a candle is set for each honored soul, in others four candles, one for each cardinal point are placed in the altar while in most places the number of candles depends on the economic capability of the family setting the altar.

Religious Elements The most common are crucifixes and Virgin Mary and patron saint images.

Petate Petates (palm tree leaf woven carpets) are set aside for the souls to lie down and rest.

Water Day of the Dead Bread Day of the dead bread or pan de muertos is different in every region of the country and is one of the most important elements in the altar as it is a fraternal offering to the souls in the catholic tradition.

Candy Skulls Sugar, chocolate or amaranth seed skulls represent the de-

A glass of water is set in the altar to calm the souls' thirst after their long journey.

Copal The resin of the tree that has the same name is burned to purify the place and to attract the souls with its sweet smell.

Salt

ceased and its presence.

A small plate with salt is set in the altar as a purifying element.

Candies

Personal Objects

AlfeĂąique (almond paste) fruits, donkeys, angels and skeletons

In some areas the tools, clothing or toys of the deceased are

and all kinds of homemade candies are set as treats the souls

added to the offering to make him feel at home.

of the children.

Ornaments

Food Every region in Mexico has a special dish that is considered the most festive and tasty and it's usually the main food offered in the altar. A good example is turkey with mole. These dishes are expensive and most of the families in the rural areas only make them for this occasion. Tamales, atole, fruits like oranges and

Candle holders, incense burners, papier mache or clay figurines or animals, such as skulls or skeletons, doing a certain activity are included. In some areas, a clay xoloitzcuintli dog is set in the altar to make the children’s souls feel good in their arrival to the celebration.

apples and desserts like the calabaza en tacha (candied pumpkin) are also part of the offering.

The souls will only take the essence out of the food and drinks

Spirited Drinks

so at the end of the celebration or in some places during the

Tequila, mezcal and pulque (fermented agave juice) are offered

event, the family will gather and eat and drink the offered

to the adult souls so they can relax and enjoy with their family.

goodies and often share them with the community members.

If the honored one smoked, a pack of cigarettes is then set in the altar.

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